整齐

• Pinyin: zhěng qí
• Hanzi breakdown: 整 = 束 + 攵 + 正, meaning 'orderly'; 齐 = simplified from 齊, meaning 'even, uniform'

Meaning

Neat; tidy; orderly. Describes things that are well-arranged, uniform, or in good order.

Used to describe physical appearance, arrangement, or uniformity. Can describe a person's appearance (穿得很整齐 = dressed neatly), objects (排列整齐 = arranged neatly), or groups (队伍整齐 = the formation is orderly). The opposite is 乱 (messy).

Examples

1. 教室里的桌椅摆放得很整齐。 The desks and chairs in the classroom are arranged very neatly.
2. 他每天出门前都把自己打扮得很整齐。 He dresses himself up neatly every day before going out.
3. 这些书架上的书排列得非常整齐。 The books on these shelves are arranged very neatly.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description, school

Tone: approving

Do Say

• 你的字写得很整齐。(Your handwriting is very neat.)
• 同学们站得很整齐。(The students are standing in an orderly line.)

Don't Say

• 这个菜做得很整齐。(Don't use 整齐 for food — it describes arrangement and neatness, not quality; use 好吃 or 漂亮 for food presentation)

Origin & History

整 (orderly, whole) + 齐 (even, uniform). Together they mean 'neat and uniform.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal